Bruno Guimaraes says that from the first time he spoke to Mikel Arteta it was clear he is ‘very obsessed’ with Arsenal improving on last season.
The Gunners continued the perfect start to their Premier League title defence with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.
Guimaraes watched on from the bench, having picked up a minor injury last time out against Aston Villa, but he feels it is clear what the mission is at Arsenal, despite a disrupted start to his career at the club.
The Brazil international arrived from Newcastle this summer in a £75 million deal and has made just one Premier League appearance so far.
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The 28-year-old understands the assignment, though, and that is to be part of a team that is better than the one that won the Premier League last time round.
In fact, his new manager is ‘very obsessed’ with improving what was already a thoroughly impressive team.
‘I’m very happy to be able to train five or six times with the team. It’s great to be able to work with such a strong, impressive team,’ Guimaraes said, via the Daily Mail.
‘They’re strong physically, strong in defence, strong in attack. It seems that this season they’re playing better than last season. I think that’s the goal, to improve every year.
‘That’s the message that Arteta wants to pass on to us. I think that since the first time I talked to him, he’s very obsessed with these things, he’s always improving.
‘We can see that our team is playing very well. It’s just the beginning, there’s a lot to come but so far, congratulations to everyone.’
David Raya was very much involved in the win over Chelsea, producing a brilliant late save from Estevao and a composed performance from crosses over the piece.
The goalkeeper warns Arsenal’s rivals that the Gunners have added another layer of confidence as champions and hold few fears in the Premier League.
‘Of course, winning the league after that many years and after those years that you are so close, it gives you that relief and it gives you that extra confidence,’ said Raya.
‘Coming from the three games, especially the Community Shield win against (Manchester) City, the way we played, that gives you extra motivation and extra confidence to play the way we want to play.
‘And of course, winning the title last year is a lift to make these fans happy. These people around the club are really happy. So hopefully, we can keep playing this way because we know how good we are.
‘We know we can beat anybody in this league. Let’s just focus on the moment and be in the present. And I just want more from me.’
Arsenal are back in action on Wednesday night as they get their Champions League campaign underway at Napoli.